Not only did David E. Talbert pen the Novel Baggage Claim, he also adapts the Screenplay and directs the Romantic-Comedy. Centering on the Eldest Daughter in her family, the gorgeous and available Montana (Paula Patton) is dead-set on not embarrassing her Mother (Jenifer Lewis), driven to find herself a Man in-time for her younger Sister Sheree‘s (Lauren London) big Engagement Party.
With the help of her sassy two BFFs Sam (Adam Brody) and Gail (Jill Scott) and their Airport Staff Friends, Montana embarks on a taxing 30-day and 30k-mile Trek for The One, perhaps purposely running into some of her handsome Exes. All amidst the mad race, Montana realizes that her Rock all along has been her Childhood Pal, William (Derek Luke) but when she realizes her feelings for him it just might be too late.
Baggage Claim is by no means an amazing Film, suffering from pacing issues, either moving too fast and too slow at points, which in turn disrupt the Story’s flow and hence, believability. What makes the Rom-Com watchable though is its Leading Lady, Patton who radiates at every turn and because her Montana wants to succeed, we want her to find love and join her in her journey. Despite being among the multiple thinly-developed Characters, Lewis as Montana‘s tough-as-nails Mom is phenomenal, truly tugging at our heartstrings late with a compelling delivery. Both Brody and Scott deliver the laughs as Montana‘s fiery Sidekicks, endearing in their constant bickering.
Although the messages of Female Empowerment and Self-Realization have been examined many times before and perhaps more wittily, Baggage Claim should still strike a chord with a core group of Genre Fans, an Audience which hasn’t seen many options at the Movies of late. It certainly makes the right casting choices to draw a Crowd for one. Ladies will drool at the endless parade of Hunks, no doubt.
Fox Searchlight releases Baggage Claim on Friday, September 27, 2013.
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